Give us new constitution before 2023 — Afenifere, Ohanaeze, MBF, PANDEF

 

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere

APEX socio-cultural and political organizations; Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, have urged the Federal Government to give the country a new people-oriented federal constitution’ before the 2023 elections to avert Nigeria’s drift towards another civil war and forced disintegration.

The groups stated this in a communique issued at the end of an inter-ethnic peace dialogue, with the theme: "Restructuring and 2023 Power-Shift: Nigeria’s Make or Break Factor for Political Survival’’, convened by Comrade Kennedy Iyere, and organized in Abuja by Youths Off The Street Initiative, YOTSI, and its diaspora partners, in collaboration with ethnic nationalities and other NGOs.

In the 10-point communique issued at the end of the meeting, the apex socio-cultural organisations stated that  the country had fallen to its lowest ebb, given the spate of ethnic, cultural, political, and religious agitations responsible for the nationwide security challenges.

Professor George Obiozor of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

They also questioned the sincerity of the government in addressing these challenges, stressing that effective political leadership was also urgently needed to arrest the ugly trend. The communique signed by Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Afenifere), Professor George Obiozor (Ohanaeze Ndigbo),  Senator Emmanuel Essien Ibok (PANDEF),  Dr. Pogu Bitrus (MBF), and  Chief Chukwuemeke Ezeife, noted the perceived lacunae in the 1999 federal constitution and its inadequacy to solve critical issues as well as, the need for electoral reforms to ensure the sanctity of the ballots. It read:  “The inter-ethnic peace dialogue  is an effort to forestall the imminent drift towards another civil war and forceful disintegration of Nigeria.

“The meeting recognizes that a pre-condition for peace, justice, equity, fairness, and sustainable development is ‘quality political leadership’ especially, at the helm of affairs. Therefore, the dialogue adopted the following resolutions: “Asserts that Nigeria needs a ‘New People-oriented Federal Constitution’ before the 2023 General Elections given that the current 1999 Constitution does not represent the interests of the People.

Dr. Pogu Bitrus of MBF.

“Insists that the new Constitution should provide for ‘True Federalism’ that heralds a restructured Nigeria.

“Calls on the Presidency to live up to its mandate of preserving the lives and properties of citizens by contending with the current insecurity. ”Demands the convocation of emergency ‘National Conference’ to take place in 2022 to fashion out a new federal constitution on the way forward for the federating regions.

“Agrees that the ‘2023 Presidency’ should be zoned to the South.  Demands the amendment of the ‘Electoral Law’ to provide for electronic voting and real-time transmission of results before the 2023 general elections, to provide for transparency, accountability and to allow the ‘sanctity of the ballot box’ and to reduce voter apathy.”

Senator Emmanuel Essien Ibok of PANDEF.

The groups also charged the Federal Government to urgently address the insecurity in the land  as part of its efforts to avert a second civil war and keep the country united.

They also insisted that ‘Federal Character’ should be used in making federal appointments. And insisted that the government should be seen to be performing acts that breed equality, peace and justice.

Chief Chukwuemeke Ezeife

HUMAN INTEREST STORIES

Woman swindles politician of N2.6m

A 46-year-old woman, Omolara Solanke, was reported to have duped a politician of N2.6 million on the pretence of helping him secure election victory during the local government elections in Osun State.

It was gathered that the suspect lured the victim, Rasaq Salami, 48, to Ekiti State to prepare some spiritual portion for him to guarantee his victory at the poll.

Findings revealed that the victim was duped of N2,680,000 at the shrine in Ekiti State where he was given the spiritual portion to aid his electoral victory.

Confirming t
he incident in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Adigun Daniel, said: “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State last Wednesday apprehended a suspected fraudster, one Solanke Omolara, 46, who collected N2,680,000 with five others now at large from the complainant named, Rasaq Salami, male, 48, to help him secure victory in the local government election in Osun State.

“The victim was taken to Ekiti State where he was duped of the above amount. The suspects, thereafter, disappeared into thin air.

“After several attempts to get in touch with the fraudsters failed, Rasaq complained to the Anti-Fraud Unit of the corps in Ekiti State Command, where an investigation into the alleged crime was launched.

“The Anti-fraud unit of NSCDC, Osun Command was contacted to track the suspects. During investigation, Omolara was apprehended around 10:30 am on Wednesday. The suspect was handed over to the NSCDC in Ekiti State for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

Man, 86, in court for allegedly stealing maize

An 86-year-old man, Buhari Musa, who allegedly stole N10,000 worth of maize, has been arraigned by police.

Musa, who resides at Itanla area of Ado-Ekiti, is facing trial for stealing before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 13 at 7.00 a.m. at Omisanjana area of Ado-Ekiti.

Okunade said the defendant stole the maize from the complainant, Mr Saliu Mustapha. He said the defendant was caught at the complainant’s farm with the maize.

Okunade said the alleged offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2012.

The prosecutor urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to assemble witnesses.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Lai Obisesan, urged the court to grant his client bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adedayo Oyebanji, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till July 8 for mention.

POLITICS

PDP'll restore freedom of Nigerian youths — Secondus

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Prince Uche Secondus, has said the party would restore the freedom of Nigerian youths that was taken away.

Chairman, PDP,  Prince Uche Secondu

He made the disclosure during the official inauguration of PDP Caretaker Committee and unveiling of the new state party secretariat (annex), yesterday, in Calabar.

Secondus said: “PDP is the party of the future. We are coming to reclaim and reposition Nigeria, we have the experience and we are determined to restructure the country and hand it over to the youths.

“Nobody can stop Nigerian youths from having a voice, including on social media whether Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.  We are coming to restore the freedom of Nigerians, especially the youths.

“This is a quit notice to Governor Ben Ayade, he should begin to pack his load and we also know that he is regretting joining the APC because more governors are joining the 14 PDP governors from the ruling APC,” he said.

Secondus who welcomed former governor, Donald Duke back to the party,  assured Cross Riverians that the state would come back to what it used to be.

On his part, Mr Donald said he was back at his home. He said: “I am back to my home. I did not go too far. No matter what the differences are that you have in a family when your house is leaking,  you must come back to find a solution and fix it.”

Some of the House of Assembly members who spoke include Nelson Ofem, Yakurr II,  Friday Okpeche, Obubra and Fred Osim, Ikom I, who described what has existed in Cross River for six years as a fraud.

“What we have had in the last six years are a fraud and a scam, but we are bold enough to say no more to the fraud which has been on.

“We have projects but none of them is real. The state has been destroyed, we have projects but they are all scam. We made a big mistake in Ayade and we refuse to accept it anymore,” they said.

Members of the inaugurated Cross River State PDP Caretaker Committee include;  Efiok Cobham (Chairman),  Eko Atu (Secretary), Rita Agbo Ayim (Publicity Secretary), . Attah Ochinke, Dr Uke Enun, Prof Walter Mboto,  Mike Usibe, Christopher Ekpo, Mr Victor Effiom Okon and Prince K. Agba as members.

Culled from Vanguard